Planet Labs makes first contact with hyperspectral Tanager-2 after launch
PL•Planet Labs launched 20 satellites, including hyperspectral Tanager-2, Google’s Project Suncatcher demo and 18 SuperDove spacecraft. The company confirmed initial contact with Tanager-2, the Suncatcher prototype and two SuperDoves.
1. Initial contact confirmed
Planet Labs said it confirmed initial contact with Tanager-2, the Project Suncatcher prototype and two SuperDove satellites. The remaining 16 SuperDoves are expected to be deployed by D-Orbit.
2. Tanager-2 commissioning
Commissioning of Tanager-2 has begun. Its sensor targets methane detection and has 426 spectral bands at approximately 5-nanometer resolution and 30-meter spatial resolution.
3. Satellite plans
Project Suncatcher aims to test Google Tensor Processing Units in orbit and assess the feasibility of running machine-learning compute in space. Planet plans at least three additional Tanager satellites.
